Studies are finding that the open office environment is not a fit for all, in fact: Gallup’s 2017 State of the American Workplace report indicates that 71% of workers have access to privacy when needed. Even more telling, 42% say they would leave their current jobs for more privacy.

As an interior design firm, we are able to come into a space to evaluate the need for private and open areas, however, what most designers may not know is that privacy not only benefits employees but is also a boon to employers. The context of the modern open office privacy guarantees productivity. The simple truth is that flexible workspaces have a direct impact on the bottom line.

With the ever-changing laws on Paid Sick Leave – it is important for Building Owners and Facilities Managers to take preventative action against any threat inducing any form of illness. Extensive research from Wageningen University and scientific company Fytagoras showed that people who work in an office that has plants, call in sick 20 percent less often than people working in rooms with no plants.

For more information on the benefits of incorporating plants in your office, call us today!

According to research carried out by Harvard Business Review, 47% of employees feel very tired due to the absence of natural light and lack of biophilia in their office environment. While similarly – other studies have shown that potted plants can reduce and lower levels of blood pressure and anxiety.

“The use of sunlight, natural materials, and green elements will not only improve an office’s appearance; it may result in more creative, productive and happier members of staff. When businesses are considering how to redesign their premises, perhaps they should consider letting the outside in.”

Here are seven pitfalls facilities managers can fall into while performing their day-to-day responsibilities:

1. Not ensuring compliance2. Not documenting meetings3. Doing the work, yourself4. Ignoring repeated complaints5. Remaining unaware of the market and not performing strategic analysis6. Lack of an organization system7. Not recognizing your staff’s work

To ensure expectations are met, an adequate team should be comprised – there should be constant training, teaching, developing, and working towards constant improvement of the overall facility.

Managing or Focusing expectations can promote a well-conceived and properly managed plan that is strongly aligned with the mission of your organization.

To properly manage expectations – the challenge is to do better with less. Understanding the goal and mission, purpose, environment, and resources is an integral piece of the puzzle and will help define the best decision.

Leadership is still required, the engagement of all is still extremely important – HF Planners, LLC can assist in this process by engaging all of the users, compiling the data to ultimately manage the organizations' expectations.